Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore
Singapore's past takes centre stage at this elegant hotel, where Peranakan influences meet contemporary luxury and a few unexpected indulgences.
Overview
First-time visitors to Singapore often say it feels like stepping into the future. But at Frasers House, one of the city-state's top stays, the vibe leans into the colonial past through soaring ceilings and graceful architectural details. Opened in 1995, the hotel and its 406 rooms and suites rise above a busy intersection in Bugis, a neighbourhood renowned for its historic shophouses, independent boutiques and multigenerational craftspeople.
Entering its next era as part of Marriott International's Luxury Collection in January 2026, the hotel's changeover is more a light refresh than a full-scale renovation, with several phases scheduled for completion by December 2027. With the Peranakan-inspired property repositioned for the luxury market, guests can expect light-filled rooms and suites, inspired by Bugis' history, to feel refined with dark timber accents and ornate furnishings.
A similar elegance runs through Frasers House's dining offering. The hotel's admired Cantonese restaurant Man Fu Yuan blends traditional techniques with contemporary presentation across its menus, with signature dishes like Kung Fu Soup — Qingyuan chicken double-boiled with abalone, maca and morel mushroom — showcasing the restaurant's dedication to craft and comfort. Head chef Cheong Kai Choon has led the kitchen since it opened over 30 years ago.
Meanwhile, Chikuyotei brings Michelin-starred origins, serving Japanese eel and seasonal omakase. Edo-style eel is the main order — steamed, then dipped in a traditional sauce and grilled until tender, rich and smoky. For something more casual, LUCE is the hotel's Italian buffet, featuring regional specialties like caponata Siciliana, squid-ink tagliolini and a Valrhona chocolate fountain — if your sweet tooth is that serious.
The Lobby Lounge is ripe for a local tea or fine wine. It's also where you can enjoy the Epicurean Moment — the curated food and drink experiences served at Luxury Collection hotels. At Frasers House, this includes a trio of bite-sized cookies, each reimagining a local dish, and a pair of matched teas riffing on Singapore's famed teh tarik, the country's ubiquitous frothy milk tea.
For more inventive drinks, Quaich Bar Wanderlust lets you sip cocktail creations and carefully selected whiskys until the early hours. Far beyond your average hotel bar, expect a rotating selection of top-notch pours bound to surprise your taste buds. But if you can't decide on what to order, a recently added menu concept eases decision paralysis with mood-driven, tarot-like cards that help you find the ideal drink or snack, whether you're feeling promiscuous or nostalgic.
Trading the dark and mysterious for the bright and sunny, Frasers House also has a chilled-out swimming pool. Situated on level four above the hurried cityscape below, you're welcome to laze away the day on beds. And at the Palms Champagne and Pool Bar, you might even order a Singapore Sling — reputedly invented about a block away in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon.
From this part of Bugis, exploring Singapore is easy, with multiple MRT stations on your doorstep. For a more guided experience, Frasers House also offers the Curated Sensory Journey — a walking tour that delves into Singapore's waves of migration. It gives guests a first-hand glimpse of the region's overlapping cultural traditions, with nearby street names, religious landmarks and murals capturing the country's ever-evolving story.
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Images: Supplied.
